March 12, 2019

A 51-year-old man was arrested on 9 March 2019 for the alleged multiple rape of a nine-year-old girl at Lale Village, Ranogga Island in the Western Province, Solomon Islands.
Provincial Police Commander Western Province, Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu says, “It will be alleged that on an unknown date between 1 December 2018 and 1 January 2019 the suspect had unlawful sexual intercourse with the victim in a garden at Lale Village. It will be further alleged that on 6 March 2019 the defendant again sexually assaulted the victim, who is also his niece, in a coconut plantation at Lale Village.”
“The suspect was arrested on 9 March 2019 and taken to Gizo Police Station. On the next day 10 March the suspect was dealt with and charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 15 years of age contrary to Section 139 (1) (b) of the Penal Code (cap.26) as amended by the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offence) Act 2016,” PPC Lenialu explains.
He adds: “The suspect appeared in the Gizo Magistrates Court on 11 March and remanded at the Gizo Correctional Service of Solomon Islands to appear before the Court on 25 March 2019.”
“I call on possible witnesses to the two alleged incidences to come forward to the Police in Gizo with any information that will assist the investigation into this sad incident involving this very young girl,” says PPC Lenialu.
“I wish to call on all men in this country to respect our women especially our vulnerable young girls. Such irresponsible acts will affect the future generation of this country for the rest of their lives. Chiefs and church leaders are urged to continue to talk with our men folk to respect and protect our young girls, the future mothers of our nation,” says Chief Superintendent Lenialu.